Page 42 of One Pucking Surprise
Blair and I exchange a look, and this time, I can’t suppress the grin that tugs at my lips.
A few minutes later, Blair pulls the cart to a stop near the edge of the woods. “We’re on foot from here. Let’s spread out.”
Just as we step out, Blair’s phone buzzes. She glances at the screen and sighs. “It’s work. I have to take this.”
Clarissa perks up immediately. “Guess it’s just me and Lainey, then.”
Blair looks at me apologetically. “You okay with that?”
I nod, trying to appear more confident than I feel. “I’ll be fine. I’ve got to find the items if I want to beat Zach.”
Blair grins. “Good luck, then. I’ll send someone back to pick you up later.”
As Blair drives away, Clarissa and I begin walking deeper into the woods, the sounds of the reunion fading behind us. We keep our eyes on the ground, searching for anything that matches the list, but Clarissa seems more interested in talking than looking.
“You know,” she says suddenly, her tone conversational, “I think it’s important we get to know each other.”
I glance at her, skeptical. “Do you?”
Shenods, her expression sincere—too sincere. “Absolutely. I’ll go first.”
I bite back a sigh, bracing myself.
“I met Zach in college,” she begins, her tone almost dreamy. “We were perfect together. Everyone thought we’d get married. I only left because I had to finish my degree and pursue my dream of becoming a doctor.”
I keep my focus on the ground, my heart sinking slightly as her words hit a nerve.
“My dad’s a brilliant doctor,” Clarissa continues, “and I wanted to make him proud. And Zach, too. I figured if I worked hard enough, I could help him someday. Be the support he needs.”
Her words echo Mr. Darling’s earlier comments, and I swallow hard, unsure how to respond.
“And now,” she says with a bright smile, “I’m a family medicine doctor specializing in sports medicine. Perfect for someone like Zach, don’t you think?”
I glance at her sharply, trying to keep my expression neutral.
Clarissa doesn’t seem to notice. “I spent almost two years overseas, volunteering. It was hard being away from Zach, but I promisedhim I’d come back.” She stops walking, turning to face me fully. “And here I am.”
My chest tightens, and for a brief moment, I hate how easily her words get under my skin. This is fake. But Zach doesn’t care about Clarissa. I know that. Still, her presence—and her confidence—feels like a threat.
“Well,” I say finally, keeping my tone polite but distant, “it sounds like you’ve accomplished a lot.”
Clarissa smiles, clearly pleased with herself. “I have. And now that I’m back, I can finally focus on what matters—Zach.”
Clarissa stops abruptly in front of me, turning with a suddenness that makes me almost collide with her. Her expression softens, and for a moment, I think she’s going to say something helpful or neutral. Instead, her words take me completely off guard.
“I want to apologize, Lainey,” she says earnestly, her big doe eyes fixed on me.
I blink, confused. “For what?”
“For Drew,” she says, tilting her head slightly as if this is an obvious thing.
A chill runs down my spine, but I keep my voice steady. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Her lips twitch into a faint, knowing smile. “Oh, come on. I know you had a thing for Drew back then. But the truth is… so did I.” She shrugs as though that admission shouldn’t sting. “I realized I wasn’t really in love with Drew when I met Zach. I think I just liked him because you liked him.”
I freeze, gripping the scavenger hunt list a little tighter. “You’re seriously telling me this now?”
“I just thought you should know,” she says breezily, as if she’s doing me a favor. “I broke up with Drew because of Zach. But I still feel bad about… you know, liking him when you did. So, I’m sorry for that.”
